Vacuum-cleaner electric-cord take-up



TAMARKN VACUUM CLEANER ELECTRIC CORD TAKE-UP Filed Nov. 17, 1919 i] m uewfoz awn/mad 721mm 2 Sheeis-Sheet Feb. 26,1924.

' B. J. TAMARIN VACUUM CLEANER ELECTRIC CORD TAKE-UP 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 17

min 5555 I a Patented Feb. as, may

. BERN .mco'oEs ran/ream, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VACUUM-CLEANER ELECTRIC-CORD TAKE-UP.

Application filedl November 17,1919. Serial No. 338,749.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD J. TAMARIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Cleaner Electric-Cord Take-Ups,

. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a take up reel for electric cords such as commonly used in connection with electric fixtures. The object of the invention is to provide means adapted for use in connection with vacuum clean ers which are operated by electric power to take up the slack in the electric cords which are usually connected to a plug or socket.

Some of the advantages of the invention may be stated as follows: It admits of taking the cleaner to whatever desired place where cleaning is to be done, without having the inconvenience of a surplus length of wire entangling with furniture, etc.

The invention obviates the probable tripping over loose cord and at the same time eliminates the necessity of dragging the loose extension cord over the floors, whlch causes the insulation to become worn off and consequently increases the fire risks throu h short circuiting; hence saves the trouble 0 removing cord, blown fuses, fixtures, broken sockets and etc.

Another extremely important feature my device embodies is, it automatically does away with the takin off and'replacing of the cord on the hen le which unless carefully done will render the cord unfit for use in short order. 1

When the vacuum cleaner is stored away when not in use the exposed cordage collects a heavylayer of dust. Then when the cleaner is to be used again, in taking ofi the exposed cord from the handle the collected dust will fly throughout the house causing unsanitary condltions. This common occurrence is however, done away with in my device, since the cord is kept wrapped inan enclosed casing immune from dust.

Other objects and advantages will be aparent as the nature of the invention is unerstood.

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions, various changes in the form, proportion and minor'details of construction may be resorted to without departing from thenature of the invention as claimed hereinafter;

Referring to the drawings hereto attached: I

Figure 1 is a front view of a vacuum cleaner provided with an electric cord take up embodying the invention, a portion of the casing of the take up being broken away.

F lgure 2 is a View of the take up with the cap plate removed and a portion of the reel broken away.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the cap plate as seen from the inner side.

Figure l is a sectional detail on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a diagram of the circuit including the electric cord.

Figure 6 is diagram of the circuit including the motor.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawing by like reference characters.

The vacuum cleaner illustrated is of ordinary construction and is selected to demonstrate the application of the invention, the same comprising a suction head 1, an electric motor 2, dust collecting bag 3 and handle 4. In the present instance the handle 4. is tubular so as to provide for the passage therethrough of the electric cord or conductor 5. The dustcollecting bag 3 isyieldably supported by means of a contractile helical spring 6.

The take up for the electric cord or conductor 5 is located in the length of the handle 4 and comprises a casing 7 which is preferably of circular form. A reel 8 is located within the casing and the electric cord 5 is attached thereto at one end and adapted to wind thereon. The reel 8 is springactuated so as to automatically wind the electric cord 5 thereon. At one side of the reel 8 is located a drum 9 which receives a spiral spring 10 by means of which the electric cord is maintained in wound condition upon the reel. A shaft 11 is mounted centrally within the casing 7 and the reel 8' is connected thereto so as to rotate therewith. The drum 9 is relatively fixed and one end of the spiral spring 10 is connected to the drum in any suitable wa and the other end is attached to the sha 11, to cause the latter and the reel'fastened thereto to rotate together. Normally the electric cord 5 is wound upon the reel '8 and the plug 12 at the outer or coupling end of the electric cord normally engages the end of the handle as indicated in Fig. 1. The plug 12 acts as a stop to limit the winding of the electric cord on the reel and also serves as means forcoupling the electric cord to a suitable terminal socket. The electric cord 5 contains two conducting strands. One of the strands is electrically connected with the reel at 13 and the other strand is connected with a rotary contact 14 which is electrically insulated from the reel. The electric circuit from the motor is indicated at 5 in Fig. 3 and comprises two strand one of which is electrically connected with a ring 15' and the other grounded to the cap plate 17 at 16. The ring 15 constitutes an annular contact and is electrically insulated from the frame as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. The casing 7 is open at one side and a ca plate 17 normally closes the open side of t e casing and receives a ring 18 of insulating material whereby the annular contact or ring 15 is electrically insulated from the casing. The rotar contact 14.- carried by the reel 8 is adapte to travel on the annular contact or ring 15 thereby completing the circuit and maintaining the same in close relation at all times. On the outer side of the cap plate 17 is arranged an annular housing 19 which receives a terminal portion of the electric cord 5 leadingfrom the motor. A switch 20 of any make or design is mounted upon the housing 19 and is adaptedto close and break the circuit as may be required.

It is desirable at times to prevent the rewinding of a portion of the electric cord 5 when drawn from the reel 8-. This result is accomplished by the means shown most clearly in Fig. 4 which consists of a latch 21 slidably mounted upon the cap plate 17 in a guide 22 and a notch 23 provlded in the projecting end of the shaft 11 to receive the end of the latch 21 when projected. The latch 21 may be held out of the path of the notched portion of the shaft'll when drawn into the guide 22 and when projected into engagement with the notch 23 the reel .isprevented from turning either forwardly or backwardly whereby the portion of the electric cord drawn therefrom is prevented from rewinding upon the reel by the action of the spring 10. A pulley 21 is located at one side of the opening 1n the casing 7, through which the cord '5 passes to give direction to the cord and prevents wearon the insulation thereof a the cord runs through the casing in winding upon and unwinding from the drum.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1-. An electrically operated vacuum cleaner embodying a handle and having an automatic take up in the length of the handle for preventing any slack in the electric cord employed for supplying current to the motor.

2. A vacuum cleaner, comprising an electrically driven suction head, a handle having connection with the said head, an electric cord, for conveying electric current to the electrically driven motor of the suction head, supported by the said handle, and an automatic take-up for the electric cord in the length of the handle and formin a part thereof for preventing any slack in t e cord.

3. An electricall operated vacuum cleaner including a hand e, a casing interposed in the length of the handle, the handle having a lon 'tudinally extending way therethroug through which the electric cord of the cleaner passes, the way communicat' with the casing, and an automatic takeup reel disposed in the casing for the electric cord for taking u slack therein.

"In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses BERNARD JACQUES TAMARIN.

Witnesses: Isnm Gaossum. M. Tumnm. 

